Branching Borders Interns
Current Branching Borders Interns
Visiting interns come to OSU to collaborate with our faculty and conduct cutting edge research in many aspects of forestry. We welcome visitors from Asia, Europe, South America, the Middle East, and many more places to study everything from cross-laminated timber to seedlings to social implications of forestry.
(In order of most recent arrival)
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Muhammed Afsal Athanikkal (Geman Vargas) My name is Muhammed Afsal. I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management (MEDfOR) through an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree at the University of Padova (Italy), the University of Lleida (Spain), and the University of Valladolid (Spain). My research interests include plant carbon dynamics and plant ecophysiology. I am currently working on research related to sensing vegetation water content in forests using microwave radiation, and predicting tree growth and water use dynamics with accelerometers. In my free time, I enjoy exploring nature and hiking, landscape photography and travelling. |
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Afifa Zahid (Woody Chung) My name is Afifa Zahid.I am pursuing a Master’s in Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management through an Erasmus Mundus Partner Country Scholarship funded by the European Union, at the University of Padova (Italy) and the University of Lleida (Spain). My research focuses on the ecological effects of prescribed fires and forest regeneration, with interests in climate-resilient forest management. I have skills in ecological data analysis, remote sensing (LiDAR, UAVs), and modeling with R and QGIS. I completed my Bachelor’s in Agriculture-Forestry on a Scotland scholarship funded by British Council. During my internship at Oregon State University, I will work on field data collection, soil sampling, and wood quality assessment. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends. |
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Tizazu Tigstu Dendir (Temesgen Hailmeriam) My name is Tizazu Tigstu Dendir. My country of origin is Ethiopia. Currently I am a MSc student (second MSc) at University of Tuscia under Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resource Management (MEDfOR) program in Italy in the department of Forestry and Environmental Science. I specialized in Forest Resource Assessment and Monitoring (first MSc) like applications of remote sensing on forest management, forest carbon accounting, forest inventory and mensuration in my home country Ethiopia. Currently I am doing my MSc thesis on "deforestation risk assessment in tropical regions by applying remote sensing tools". My research interests are; Forest biomass estimation and carbon accounting, Application of GIS and RS on Forestry, Forest Inventory, Forest Monitoring and Biodiversity Assessment, Forest and Climate Change, Analysis of Lidar Scanning, Sustainable forest management and silviculture. In this upcoming internship at Oregon State University, I will join Forest Engineering, Resources & Management (FERM) department and expect to participate in research related to sustainable forest management, remote sensing and forest metrics improvement (Forest Biometrics & Geomatics) under supervision of Professor Temesgen Hailemariam.
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Fabrice Niyitanga (Scott Leavengood) Fabrice Niyitanga is a final-year MSc student in Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resources Management at the University of Rwanda. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Forestry from the same university and a certificate in Tropical Forest Landscapes: Conservation, Restoration & Sustainable Use from Yale University. He is interested in assessing the wood quality of native tree species in Rwanda to support their integration into sustainable timber production industry and forest landscape restoration. As a visiting intern at the Wood Science and Engineering (WSE) department in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University, He will be working with Professor Scott Leavengood on research related to wood products innovation, manufacturing and marketing. He is excited about gaining hands-on experience in testing material properties such as bending strength, hardness, bond strength, specific gravity, etc; skills that will deepen his understanding of wood science and its applications.
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Isaac Kitiibwa Ssebuyira (Wenjia Wang) My name is Isaac Kitiibwa Ssebuyira, and I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Forestry and Biodiversity Management at Makerere University, Uganda. I have a strong passion for wood engineering and the utilization of forestry products. My research experience includes studying the physical and mechanical properties of various timber species in Uganda. Additionally, I have been involved in the extraction of non-timber forest products, such as essential oils from tree leaves, and exploring their potential application as natural pesticides for food crop seeds.
In July 2025, I will be joining the College of Forestry at Oregon State University for a two-month research internship under the supervision of Professor Wenjia Wang. The focus of this internship will be on 3D printing of bio-composites. During my time there, I will acquire valuable research skills, including computational modeling, experimental design, computer-aided design (CAD), mechanical testing, and thermal testing. I am confident that this opportunity will significantly enhance my expertise in wood science and engineering, and contribute meaningfully to my career development and launch me into acquiring PHD studies from OSU.
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Past Branching Borders Interns
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Katerin Rojas (FERM, Carlos Gonzalez-Benecke) "My name is Katerin Rojas but you can call me Katy. I'm 23 years old and I'm from Chile. I am a student of Forestry Engineering at the University of Chile. I am in my last year very close to presenting my thesis. I come to OSU to collaborate on research projects by Dr. Carlos González Benecke on plant ecophysiology. I really love nature and it's very exciting to come and learn and participate in this project." |
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Agustin Cifuentes (FERM, Carlos Gonzalez-Benecke) "My name is Agustin Cifuentes, and I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Natural Resources Conservation Engineering at Universidad Austral de Chile in southern Chile. I will be traveling to Corvallis as part of the Branching Borders program to collaborate on a PhD thesis and to begin work on my own undergraduate thesis. I have completed two internships in Chile, one at Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG) and the other at Ocean Spray Lanco. However, my time at OSU will mark my most immersive academic experience yet in forestry, particularly focused on Douglas fir and other species commonly used in my home country."
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Lukmon Alao (WSE, Gerald Presley) "I am a final year student at the University of Ibadan, majoring in Wood Products Engineering. My academic journey has been marked by excellence, as evidenced by my current standing as the overall best student in my class. My proficiency extends to areas such as data analytics, machine design, and 3D furniture design. These skills have not only enriched my academic experience but also positioned me as a well-rounded engineer in my field. Looking ahead, I aspire to contribute to academia as a renowned researcher in the field of Wood and Biomaterials Engineering. My focus will be on the processing and utilization of these materials, a niche that holds significant potential for sustainable development. In essence, my journey is one of continuous learning and growth, driven by a passion for engineering and a commitment to excellence. As I transition into the next phase of my career, I look forward to making meaningful contributions to my field and inspiring the next generation of engineers." |
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Tomiwa Haruna (WSE, Islam Hafaz) "My name is Tomiwa Haruna, and I am a motivated undergraduate student currently studying Wood Products Engineering at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. I have a strong foundation in sustainable forestry, woodworking, and wood and biomaterials processing. My passion lies in innovative wood processing technologies and sustainable materials, particularly in wood composite production and furniture manufacturing. I am committed to advancing the field with a focus on environmental responsibility." |
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Derrick Mubiru (WSE, Wenjia Wang) "I am a Master of Science in Forestry student at Makerere University, Uganda. My passion lies with integration of ''industry 4.0 concept'' in wood enhancement and upcycling wood waste and wood composites into valuable products. I firmly believe in promoting global sustainability in the forestry sector. |
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Sadete Zela (WSE, Scott Leavengood) “I am a girl from Albania who moved to Austria due to her studies. I have always loved nature and especially wood as a material and for this reason I decided to study in a country where the world of wood is more developed. My dedication to my field, combined with my unwavering commitment to lifelong learning, positions me as a promising figure in the realm of Forest Products Technology. I aspire to make meaningful contributions to sustainable practices and innovative solutions in the industry, aiming to bridge the gap between traditional forestry and modern technological advancements. Through my work, I hope to inspire others and make a lasting impact on the environment and society. I also plan to study for a master´s degree in the same profile at the same University.”
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Alcyne Nyiraneza (FES, Suhyun Jung) "My name is Alcyne Nyiraneza, a Rwandan master student at Swedish university of agricultural sciences (SLU). I am visiting Oregon State University, College of Forestry for a summer internship under the Branching Borders program. I will be participating in research of forest economics, rural development and forest management in the Forest Ecosystems and Society (FES) department with professor Suhyun Jung."
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Sebstian Hjelström (FES, Jacob Bukoski) "I am a graduate student pursuing an MSc with a major in forest science at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. I am coming to OSU CoF as a visiting intern, where I'll be working with professor Jacob Bukoski." |
